When they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God. Acts 14:21-22
Discipleship involves counsel and care. That is what I see here in the pattern of Paul and Barnabus as they complete their first missionary endeavors. They spend time strengthening the souls of those who had come to faith in Christ. And it sounds like these people had their share of hardship. They needed reassuring strength. They needed encouragement in their faith. They meeded to know that hardship must be part of the Christian experience.
I see this passage and am reminded that when I have days in which it seems an endless stream of such encouragement is necessary, I am following in the steps of the earliest Christians. I can take heart. This is part of what I am called to do in Christian discipleship.
When they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God. Acts 14:21-22
Discipleship involves counsel and care. That is what I see here in the pattern of Paul and Barnabus as they complete their first missionary endeavors. They spend time strengthening the souls of those who had come to faith in Christ. And it sounds like these people had their share of hardship. They needed reassuring strength. They needed encouragement in their faith. They meeded to know that hardship must be part of the Christian experience.
I see this passage and am reminded that when I have days in which it seems an endless stream of such encouragement is necessary, I am following in the steps of the earliest Christians. I can take heart. This is part of what I am called to do in Christian discipleship.
